COLUMBIA, Mo. - Coming off their 2014 season opener at Alabama, the Missouri Tigers are set to host their home opener this Friday against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The meet will mark the annual “Pink Out” at the Hearnes Center as the gymnastics program will assist the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center for breast cancer research. For every ticket sold, Mizzou Athletics will donate $1 to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.

Adult tickets for the Pink Out meet are available for $5 each, while youth and seniors tickets can be purchased for $3. Hearnes Center gates and ticket office will open at 5:00 p.m. CT. For additional Missouri Gymnastics ticket details, contact the Mizzou Athletics ticket office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS.

The popular event will consist of fun-filled activities both before and after the meet. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. kids can partake in a carnival that consists of a bounce house, face painting and a poster making station. The kids carnival will be located in the Fieldhouse inside the Hearnes Center.

A pair of exciting giveaways rounds out the night’s events, as the first 500 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive 2014 Pink Out t-shirt and pink pom-poms. Following the meet against the Tigers and Razorbacks, fans will have an opportunity to receive FREE autographs from their favorite Missouri Tigers gymnasts up in the Hearnes Center concourse. Fans are encouraged to arrive early Friday evening, and to WEAR PINK to support the fight against cancer.

Tigers vs. Razorbacks Quick Facts:

Each team opened their 2014 season last Friday, as Missouri hit the road to face No. 2 Alabama and No. 11 Arkansas competed in a tri-meet against Bridgeport and Western Michigan. The Tigers began their meet in Tuscaloosa strong, posting solid scores on both vault (48.575) and bars (48.850). Junior Laura Kappler and freshman Angie Kern each tallied 9.725 on vault, while junior Rachel Updikeproduced a 9.850 on the event. Updike and sophomore Miranda Eubank led the way in Missouri’s strong performance on bars, as they each tallied scores of 9.850.

The No. 11 Arkansas Razorbacks hosted a tri-meet in Fayetteville to begin their season, and came away with a victory. The Razorbacks finished with a team score of 196.200 and marked their second-highest score in a season opener in program history. Senior All-American Katherine Grable stole the meet for Arkansas, claiming an all-around score of 39.475 and winning three titles (vault, floor and all-around). Sophomore Sydnie Dillard hit an impressive 9.900 on beam and was good enough to capture the event title.Last Time Missouri And Arkansas Met:

(Mar. 1, 2013) The two teams competed in a quad meet at Fayetteville, Ark. and Missouri scored a 194.300 which was good enough for a second place finish. The Razorbacks would come out on top with a 196.525 score. Lindenwood (191.125) and Centenary (190.525) rounded out the list of competitors at the quad meet.

Missouri’s meet in Arkansas not only produced an outstanding team effort, but it saw several new personal bests from Tigers gymnasts. Laura Kappler established her career high on bars with a 9.775, Rachel Henderson recorded a then career high on beam with a 9.750, and Miranda Eubankalso set a then career high on floor with a 9.750 score. Sandra Ostad rounded out the Tigers record setting day, tallying a season high score of 9.800 on vault.

Missouri vs. Arkansas History:

In 11 all-time meetings, including postseason, Missouri holds a 5-6 (.455) record against Arkansas. The Tigers have had success in the regular season against the Razorbacks, holding a 5-3 (.625) advantage all-time. However, their success hasn’t translated to postseason meetings with their SEC opponent, as they have dropped all three previous meetings.

Missouri and Arkansas have split their last two meetings, with the Razorbacks edging the Tigers in last season’s quad meet and Missouri taking the season finale in 2012 (196.100 – 195.450). Since 2000, Missouri has held a nice edge over Arkansas, claiming wins in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

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